Jharkhand police have achieved a significant success in their ongoing operation against Naxalites in Gumla district. Following an encounter in the Ghaghar forest, police apprehended Fariz Ansari, a sub- zonal commander of the Jharkhand Mukti Parishad (JJM), and a notorious Naxalite with a bounty of five lakh rupees.
Action Based on a Tip-Off
Gumla Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Jama’n revealed during a press conference that police received information about Raviendra Yadav, the supremo of JJMP, along with an armed group, being present in the Ghaghar forest under the Bisanpur police station and preparing for a major operation. Acting swiftly on this intelligence, a special team led by Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad was formed, and a search operation was launched.
During the operation in the forest, police personnel spotted several suspicious armed individuals. Upon seeing the police, they attempted to flee, but one person was apprehended. Interrogation revealed the individual’s identity as Fariz Ansari (35), a resident of Rubed village, Bajoing Police Station, Lohardaga. Fariz Ansari is the sub- zonal commander of the Jharkhand Mukti Parishad and a five lakh rupee bounty had been placed on him.
Large Quantity of Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
Following the arrest, police recovered a 303 rifle, 200 rounds of 7mm ammunition, 150 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three smartphones, two keypad mobile phones, two diaries, a mobile charger, an internet router, and a पिट्ठू bag from his possession. Officials stated that had the action not been taken in time, the Naxalites could have carried out a significant incident.
Fariz Ansari’s Past Association with Maoist Organization
The SP indicated that Fariz Ansari was previously associated with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and had served a two-year prison sentence. He faces a total of 11 criminal cases registered against him in various police stations. The team that made the arrest included Circle Inspector Vinay Kumar, Bisanpur Police Station In-charge Rakesh Kumar Singh, Ghaghar Police Station In-charge Punit Munj, SI Tarun Kumar and Mo. Jahangir.
It is worth noting that on June 18, another sub- zonal commander of the same organization, Baj Nath Singh, had surrendered to the Latehar police. Police are now intensifying the operation to locate other members of JJMP.
This operation by Gumla police is being considered a major success in weakening the network of Naxalite organizations active in Jharkhand. Currently, security forces are continuing a search operation in the area, and police are actively searching for other absconding Naxalites.
